Ancient Wisdom Expressed in Myths and Symbols

Contrary to common thought, schools did not coin their ancient wisdom in myth and symbol in order to hide their original meaning. Hiding isn’t necessary, for the passage of time guarantees the distortion of the original meaning of ancient texts. The consciousness of the average man is such that he cannot naturally see the wisdom behind myth and symbol, unable as he is to perceive the unity in cosmoses. Thus, the secret of myth and symbol protects itself.

The reason to code ancient wisdom in myth and symbol lies elsewhere: it invites the listener to transcend his logical mind and perceive truths from his higher Self; it lends truths a multi-layered expression, so that each time man deepens his consciousness, he perceives more from the same myth and symbol. this multi-layered meaning also ensures preservation, for if myths didn’t speak to all ages and levels of understanding, they would be discarded as unintelligible. Hence, the greatest teachings, such as the Bible, the Hindu Vedas, the Koran and the Gospels, are as valued today as they were at their conception – even though they are largely misunderstood.

Below are listed posts that share symbolic and mythical expressions of ancient wisdom:

Ancient Symbolism

Guard Your Heel

A fox won't normally capture an eagle. But if the king of the birds stoops too low and foolishly endagers itself, the fox might have a go at it. Foxes are renowned for slyness, and an eagle that alights on its kill and gets overly fascinated with eating might become too distracted to detect an impen[...]

Tree of Ancient Wisdom

Comparative religion is a recent luxury. Until about two centuries ago, each religion was jealous and exclusive. If you preached Buddhism in Medieval Europe, you'd be stoned to death. If you preached Islam in the Aztec Empire, your heart would be sacrificed to the sun-god. Wisely, each culture minde[...]

A Thousand Ancient Words

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what of a sculpture? Imagine entering a temple and being greeted by the Buddha above. "Welcome," he seems to say, invitingly, compassionately. "You are in good company,"--his subtle smile implies wordlessly--"sit down and rest." Wordless Ancient Wisdo[...]

Building an Ark of Ancient Wisdom

"The purpose of archeology is to learn what the Past has to teach us, not to impose our own conceptions on the Ancients." - Schwaller de Lubicz There's a solitary marble gate on the island of Naxos in Greece (featured above), that is all that remains of a once magnificent ancient temple to Apollo. [...]